title: Emerging treatments for hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  About 2.35% of the world population can be infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) responsible for chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently available interferon-based medication is successful in up to 75% of the patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2 or 3 and lower efficacy in other genotypes. Unfortunately sustained virologic response (SVR) rate in genotype 1 infected non-responders to previous therapy with advanced hepatic fibrosis even after retreatment with the first generation direct acting antivirals (DAA) is about 40% only.
  
  
  METHODS
  The second generation DAA, which have recently been submitted for registration (Sofosbuvir and Simeprevir) still need combination with PegIFNα and RBV in patients infected with HCV genotype 1. There is a need for more effective antiviral therapy for difficult to treat patients who are interferon intolerant, developed liver cirrhosis or non-responders to previous therapies. Therefore, IFN-free regimens are step for future therapies consisting of combinations of novel investigational DAA and host targeting agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The introduction of novel DAA with a good safety profile and high barrier to resistance can lead to SVR rates exceeding 90% in treatment naïve patients and non-responders to previous therapy infected with different genotypes.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology , ul. Żurawia 14, 15-540 Białystok , Poland +48 605203525 ; +48 85 7416921 ; robert.flisiak@umb.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flisiak
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaroszewicz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parfieniuk-Kowerda
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D055808:Drug Discovery; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069616:Simeprevir; D000069474:Sofosbuvir; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014542:Uridine Monophosphate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013449:Sulfonamides; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; D000069616:Simeprevir; D014542:Uridine Monophosphate; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a; D000069474:Sofosbuvir